Calif. Gov. Newsom Vetoes Bill Calling for Legal Injections Sites

Facts

• On Mon., CA Dem. Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed legislation that would have created safe drug injection sites intended to reduce overdose deaths.
• Senate Bill 57 moved to implement a tri-city program in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Oakland that would legalize drug use in places supervised by trained staff to prevent accidental overdoses.
• Although Newsom says he is still open to the program, he cited concerns about needing strong plans in place to prevent unintended consequences of the bill that could worsen drug consumption.
• Republicans praised the governor, who might be a contender for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination, with Calif. Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher calling for "policies that will empower people to safely get off the streets and reintegrate into our communities."
• State Sen. Scott Wiener, who wrote the bill, called the veto "tragic" and a "huge lost opportunity" but vowed not to give up.

Sources: CNN, FOX News, and New York Post.

Narratives

• Republican narrative, as provided by PJ Media. They actually did it – the progressives of Calif. passed legislation so radical even Newsom couldn't back it. While preventing overdoses is a noble venture, encouraging drug use isn't the way to do it. This bill sends the wrong message to drug users, their families, and the community at large.
• Democratic narrative, as provided by The New York Times. Newsom is putting his political ambitions ahead of public health. We know from years of experience and studies that these sites - which Newsom has supported in the past - work. However, he's clearly thinking ahead to his potential campaign for national office and doesn't want to give his conservative critics the ability to tie him to open drug use.